2010 Gad & GiZ, new super cool Power Boats!

Bulletin Board       Class Schedules       Class Registration       Class Descriptions       Get a Head Start       Free ck       (Clk pic's to change)

2010 Gad & Giz, New Super Rat-Trap Racers

            Take things apart   to see how they work!
                           Dream about . . . building Warbots?
        Make dreams become plans   &  plans...
                      become things that work - even if you don't
                                  know an LED from a PCB.... then ....

                                                         Get a technological
                              Head-Start on your future

                                                   COMPETITION!

Bulletin Board-Announcements

coming soon:

2011 SUMMER CAMPS: looking for another location next year due to Heights construction mess! check here to see where we will be.

to be updated: .

WANTED! - 6 freq NIKKO R/C Cars Needed: (especially 1/10 scale 4x4 Hummers) If you have one in any condition consider donating, selling/trading it to us us. Since NIKKO closed down we need cars & parts! E-mail (cut & paste)at mcmillan01@flash.net. Cars can be dropped off at Heights Park.

North Dallas students can take my classes: How Things Work, Gadgets & Gizmo's, Sci Tech 1 & Sci Tech 2 on Tues at Heights Park Center. Sci Tech-1&2 are taught as one but have different projects. Heights (schedule) is located at 711 W Arapaho, 1 mi West of Central at Floyd Rd.

South Dallas: I need your help! This may be my last year to teach in South Dallas. Please register early (by June 11th) to help, I need more students. Classes moved to Wed's this Fall.

New Locations:  I'm looking for a new location to teach and hold my camps. If you have any suggestions or need details, Call 214-521-1444 or e-mail me,(cut & paste) mcmillan01@flash.net.

 I am available to teach on Mon or Thurs this Fall/next year (2011). If you know anyone (person, school or meeting place) tell them about me or e-mail me,(cut & paste) mcmillan01@flash.net about them. Click the 'About Us' button on this page for background information.

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"Technological Head Start"

Popular Dallas teacher Jim McMillan uses specially designed creative hands-on
projects designed to teach you how to think-on-your-feet. Learn to quickly
analyize the facts in a given situation and initiate a creative course of action.
Develop your basic skills, technical knowledge and mechanical abilities!
These classes teach application skills and understanding of the rules & formulas.

Develop your problem solving skills & abilities plus a positive "I-can-do-it" attitude

Former three time Science Fair winner, Scoutmaster, and Research & Product Design
Engineer, Mr. McMillan has developed a unique program combining scientific principles
& theory with practical hands-on problem solving techniques. Review class descriptions
below, If you have questions, e-mail me - be sure to include your e-mail address.

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Class Descriptions:

How Things Work:  (Applied Science)

Young would-be inventers, this class will give you experience using special methods I developed and used for years as a Research & Product Design Engineer. I used these methods to create new original designs, special projects & to modify existing products.

Understanding how things work is the essential ingredient needed to turn ideas into new and original designs. How can you create something new if you don't know how what already exist works? Most designers only modify or improve existing things, however, if you develop the necessary skills you can turn ideas into creative designs or inventions.

There will be discussions, comments and hands on projects. We'll take things apart to see how they work then repair, modify or use the parts to design something new. I want you to develop an "I can do anything" attitude - this is what I'm trying to pass on.

These principles (my method) can be applied to all areas of your life not just the technical things.
Think outside the box? There is no box, unless you build it. Come, join the fun!

Descriptions

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Sci Tech-1      Note: Tech Sci 1&2 are taught together!
    Project Building  a 2-yr class for ages 9-14  

Note: Its possible to qualify for Pre-Engineering college credits if you take 3 yrs of Tech Sci &
Pre-Engr studies. This will give you a major advantage over other students and the possibility of
advanced placement. I suggest 2 yrs in this class before taking Pre-Engineering.

If you have any interest in technical fields of study this class is a great chance to see what
it's all about. The class is designed for new or returning students wanting to develop a strong
technical foundation.

This class combines elements of science, engineering and physics with fun to build special
electrical and mechanical projects. This unique mixture helps develop creative skills,
analytical thinking and divergent problem-solving methods.

Each year offers new and/or modified projects selected to appeal to the imagination and to
demonstrate and apply scientific principles. Physics wiz or not - kids will be stimulated and
successful in this very "can-do" experience! A must for the learner with curiosity.

Discriptions

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Sci-Tech 2   Advanced Class.   for ages 11-17

Requirements: 2 yrs in Sci-Tech 1 or over age 12 and know basic electronics.

The class goals are to develop a working knowledge of electrical and mechanical
systems and build fun projects that demonstrate basic principles.

The hands-on projects (most are new ea yr) will be selected to develop the students understanding and application of skills and problem solving abilities. The projects,
which they keep, get the students involved, hone decision making skills and reward
them with many tangible results.

Students will learn proven methods of creative problem solving & logical design steps
which I've developed over the last 50 years. Discover: learning is fun, quitting isn't an
option and to always do your best. The ability to find creative solutions or solve
complex problems is very rewarding and can become a way of life.

This is a "you ain't seen nothing yet!" kind of class! My camp helpers (paid positions)
are selected from this class. See helper qualifications if you are interested.

Descriptions

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Class Registration:

Heights Park Center: 711 West Arapaho, Richardson Christmas & Summer Camps,
Homeschool & Afterschool classes.To register call 972-744-7850 or see Richardson's
Recreation Today catalog. Any questions? e-mail me - include your e-mail address.

SALT Homeschool Co-Op: Plesant Run Rd, Cedar Hill. Meets at Faith Bible
Church, apx two miles East of Hwy 67. Visit SALT web-site Salt Coop, e-mail address
, saltcoop@sbcglobal.net, Co-Op phone no. answered on Mon & Wed during school
hours 972-890-8117. You can join my Salt classes anytime during the school year!

RHSA, Richardson Homeschool Assoc. Visit their web-site www.RHSA.org .
The Co-Op meets at Northrich Baptist Church, 1101 Custer Rd, their phone no. answered
Tues & Thurs during school hours is 972-234-8404. E-mail: coopregistrar@comcast.net

General information: Class cost vary due to the fees I'm charged.
The Co-Op classes are usually $45/mo due to small fee they charge me.
Heights Park (City of Richardson)is raising fees making my class go up $4 in Sept.
The $75 materials fee covers all projects but actual expenses are over $100/student.
Check Bulletin Board on Homepage for class information & special bulletins.
Check the new Fall schedule below for class times and Locations.

Wed - Fri      Open to teach at other locations .... if interested in offering our
classes or camps at your location, contact Jim McMillan by E-mail or call 214-521-1444 to
set a time to meet or discuss options.

Fall Class Schedule   (Scan Down)
2010 Home School, After School & Private School classes

Available to teach at other locations on Mon/Thurs .... if interested in
      offering our program E-mail me or call, Jim McMillan 214-521-1444.
To attend classes at one of the Co-Op's you must join their association.
Richardson Hts Pk Center is open to all students, join at any time!
Classes on Tues morning, 9 & 11 or after school, 3:15 & 4:30. See Hts Pk schedule for details.

Tues:    Heights Park Recreation Center , Apx 1 mi West of Hwy 75 on Arapaho, turn left into parking lot, in Rm B1 & B2 from 9-11am and 3-6pm

Tues:    RHSA Home-school Co-Op,  Meets at Northrich Church 1101 Custer Rd.
Apx 3/4 mi West of Hwy 75 on Arapaho, turn Right at light on Custer, apx 4 blocks on the left -
use entrance behind the church.

Wed:   SALT Home-school Co-Op,  Meets at Faith Bible Church in Cedar Hill.
Take Hwy 67 South, left on Main, left on Pleasant Run Rd, Faith Bible on left apx 1 mile.

Tues:   Heights Park Center, 711 W Arapaho

You can start classes at Heights Park at any time, however, the
Co-Ops only allow registration at the start of each semester!

Fall school classes, start Sept 9: If register for Sci-Tech 1&2 I will
teach both at once. Those who qualify can build the Sci-Tech 2 projects.

9:00 - 10:00	Sci-Tech 1&2	(ages   10+)
10:15 - 11:15	How Things Work	(ages 10+)

3:15 - 4:15	Gadgets & Gizmos	(ages 7-10)
4:30 - 5:30	Sci Tech 1&2	(ages 10+)

Tues:   RHSA Homeschool Co-Op, Richardson
Note: class times in red are taught on Tues at Heights Park Center 711 West Arapaho,
only 7 blocks away! If you have schedule conflicts come to Hts Pk Center location.

12:30-1:25                      3:15	Gadgets & Gizmos	(ages 7-10)
1:30-2:25                    10:15	How Things Work	(ages 9-16)
9:00                      4:30	SciTec 1 & SciTec 2 only avail at Hts Pk, 711 West Arapaho	(ages 10+)

Wed:   SALT Homeschool Co-Op, South Dallas

9:15	How Things Work	(ages 10+)
10:30	Technical Science	(ages 9+)
12:30	Gadgets & Gizmo's	(ages 7-10)

Please Note: Its possible to qualify for Pre-Engineering college credits if you
take 2 yrs of Sci Tech 1 and at least 1 yr of Pre-Engineering (Sci Tech 2). This will give
you a major advantage over other students and the possibility of advanced placement.

 #        Title:                               Description:                   Rating:

1	Animusic 1	Animated instr's, 2-disc set	G
2	Animusic 2	Animated instr's, disc 2 of 2	G
3	The Italian Job, 2nd version	Get in, Get out, Get even (Remake)	G
4	The Italian Job, Original	Wild Mini-Cooper getaway cars	G
5	Night at the Museum	Battle of the Smithsonian	G
6	Night at the Museum	Great Movie - A Classic	G
7	Short Circuit	Runaway Robot Thinks he's Alive	PG
8	WALL.E	Adventures of a Junk Yd Robot	PG
9	National Treasure	An India Jones type Adventure	PG
10	National Treasure 2	Book of Secrets	PG
11	Fantastic 4	Rise of the Silver Surfer	PG
12	Ironman	A Thrill a Minute Robotic Man	PG
13	The One	Destroy the Matrix, Save the Universe	PG
14	Bullitt	Best Car Chase in Movie History	PG
15	Kart Racer	Courage Has No Speed Limit	PG
16	Blackbeard	Pirates of the Cab. sequence	PG
17	Ice Age	Pre-Historic Animals Adventure	PG
18	Ice Age 2	The Meltdown	PG
19	Ice Age 3	Dawn of the Dinosaurs	PG
20	Madagascar	Escape to Africa	PG
21	Madagascar	The Penguins Adventure	PG
22	Inspector Clouseau	Bumbling Pink Panther Detective	PG-13
23	Cars	An Animated World of Cars	PG-13
24	The Black Stallion	A Young Boy Trains a Champion	G
25	Days of Thunder	Tom Cruise, Racing Movie	PG-13
26	Lord of the Rings	Return of the King	PG-13
27	Machines	Fantastic Show from MIT Museum	PG
28	Star Trek	First Contact	PG-13
29	Star Trek 3	The Search for Spock	PG
30	Lemans Prototype Racing	European Championship	PG
31	Young Indiana Jones	Treasure of the Peacocks Eye	PG
32	Lord of the Rings	The Fellowship of the Ring	PG-13
33	The Rocketeer	Top Secret Jet Pack Found ...	PG
34	Troop Beverly Hills	Very funny - troop adventures	PG
35	62 Cartoons	Superman, Popeye, Casper & many others	G